Alan Turing to feature on new £50 note (bbc.co.uk)

Article summary

The Bank of England has announced that Alan Turing, a computer pioneer and codebreaker, will feature on the new £50 note. Turing's work was crucial to the Allies in World War II, and he is also considered a father of computer science and artificial intelligence. The new note will be made of polymer and will enter circulation by the end of 2021. The decision to feature Turing on the note is seen as a tribute to his contributions to science and society.

Main themes

• Alan Turing
• Bank of England
• £50 note
• LGBTQ+ rights
• Computer science
• History

What commenters say

• Alan Turing's contributions to computer science and codebreaking make him a deserving figure to be featured on the £50 note.
• The UK's historical treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals, including Turing's conviction for gross indecency, is a shameful part of the country's past.
• The age of consent laws at the time of Turing's conviction were unfairly applied to LGBTQ+ individuals, highlighting the need for greater understanding and acceptance.
• Turing's relationship with a 19-year-old man at the time of his conviction is still a subject of controversy and debate.
• The decision to feature Turing on the note is a positive step towards recognizing the contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals to society.
• Some commenters argue that Turing's personal life and relationships should not be subject to modern moral judgment, while others believe that his actions were problematic even by the standards of his time.
• The legacy of historical figures like Winston Churchill is also being reevaluated in the context of their actions and beliefs, with some arguing that they should not be celebrated without also acknowledging their flaws and mistakes.